There are strict border controls in place for all arrivals to the Territory, including returning Territorians.

You should reconsider all non-essential travel.

Only travel if you feel well. Get more information about what to do in the Territory if you feel unwell.

Interstate arrivals

All people entering the Northern Territory (NT) are required by law to quarantine for 14 days at an appropriate location. Border control measures are enabling the gradual adjustment of restrictions for the Territory population to establish the new normal.

The quarantine period begins at the time of your arrival to the Territory (as confirmed on your border arrival form PDF (459.6 KB)) and ends at midday on the 14th day after arrival.People in quarantine will be subject to compliance checks and can be fined for breaches of quarantine.

Until 15 June 2020

All people arriving in the NT from interstate before 15 June must enter mandatory, monitored quarantine at a location determined by the NT Government.

You are required to pay a fee to cover the costs of the mandatory quarantine. Find out about the quarantine fee.

If you are travelling with a pet, arrangements must be made to accommodate your pet prior to arriving in the NT and at your own expense. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure all vaccinations are current.

From 15 June 2020

On 15 June, the Northern Territory will transition from mandatory monitored quarantine to mandatory self-quarantine.

International arrivals still need to undertake Government-mandated and supervised quarantine.

From 15 June, anyone arriving in the NT from interstate will be able to choose their own self-quarantine arrangements.

This may be in their own home, in private accommodation, or at a commercial accommodation provider at their own expense.

Self-quarantine will still need to be undertaken in an appropriate location that meets the conditions of the Chief Health Officer’s directions.

If you are travelling with a pet, arrangements must be made to accommodate your pet prior to arriving in the NT and at your own expense. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure all vaccinations are current. Some people are exempt, or can apply for an exemption, from mandatory quarantine.

Australians travelling overseas

Some people are automatically exempt from forced quarantine including:

national and Northern Territory security and governance

medical transport and emergency services

transport, freight and logistics

defence and policing

flight crews

commercial ship crews

people with specialist skills that are critical to maintaining key government services, industries or businesses

Each category has strict eligibility criteria and conditions. Read more about the exemption categories.

People ’automatically’ exempt under any of these categories do not need to apply for exemption. However, while exempt from forced quarantine, all people in this ‘automatic’ category must still observe all physical distancing, hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette measures.

Some people must apply for exemption from supervised quarantine including:

All people entering the NT from overseas must complete 14 days of mandatory quarantine. There is no exemption for overseas travellers.

If you have already undertaken quarantine in another state or territory prior to travelling to the NT, you are still required to quarantine for 14 days upon entry to the Territory.

How to apply for an exemption

Applications for exemption on the grounds you are an NT Health employee, essential for the proper functioning of the Territory, experiencing hardship, or are governed by a COVID-19 management plan approved by the Chief Health Officer Delegate are to be submitted to doh.exempt@nt.gov.au for assessment.

Dining

Under new restrictions, hotels and roadhouses do not have dining facilities available.

As part of your forced quarantine measures, you will need to arrange for meals to be delivered to your room if required.

Fuel stops

When stopping for fuel, you are reminded to exercise good hygiene practices and physical distancing measures:

cover your sneezes and coughs with your elbow or use a tissue (not your hand)

remain a minimum of 1.5 metres from others at all times and don’t make physical contact with anyone

remember to sanitise or wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap - instructions for correct handwashing techniques are now available in all roadhouses and fuel stops throughout the Northern Territory

cashless transactions are the preferred option at this time, so make sure you have your card with you.

Travelling to a remote community

Special rules and restrictions may apply if it is your intention to cross the border into the Northern Territory and then travel to a remote community.

Freight coming into the Northern Territory

Freight will continue to come in and out of the Territory. The new quarantine orders will not impact the delivery of essential goods and services.

Food and freight including petrol will continue. Supermarkets and stores will remain supplied.

Territory resident FIFO and transport or freight of goods and logistics workers

If you are a Territory resident fly-in fly-out (FIFO) or a transport or freight of goods and logistics worker, you may be eligible for exemption from forced quarantine on the grounds you are governed by a COVID-19 management plan imposed by your employer. To be eligible for exemption, very strict conditions must be adhered to which will prevent transmission of COVID-19 to the public.

If you believe you may be eligible for exemption from forced quarantine under this category, please seek advice from the Border Restrictions Workforce on 1800 490 484 or doh.exempt@nt.gov.au